Effects of atorvastatin, amlodipine, and their combination on vascular dysfunction in insulin-resistant rats

J Pharmacol Sci. 2014;124(1):76-85. doi: 10.1254/jphs.13178fp. Epub 2013 Dec 27.

Abstract

Deficiency of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) in the vascular tissue contributes to endothelial dysfunction through reduced eNOS activity and increased superoxide anion (O2(-)) generation in the insulin-resistant state. We investigated the effects of atorvastatin, a 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor; amlodipine, a calcium antagonist; and their combination on blood pressure, arterial relaxation and contraction, and vascular oxidative stress in aortas of high fructose-fed rats. Oral administration of atorvastatin for 8 weeks did not significantly lower blood pressure, but normalized angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction and endothelial function in the fructose-fed rats. Atorvastatin treatment of fructose-fed rats increased vascular BH4 content, which was associated with an increase in endothelial NO synthase activity as well as a reduction in endothelial O2(-) production. On the other hand, administration of amlodipine did not affect the angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction and endothelial function, but normalized the elevated blood pressure in the fructose-fed rats. The combined treatment did not show synergistic but additive beneficial effects. The present study suggests that combined therapy of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and calcium antagonists prevents functional vascular disorders in the insulin-resistant state, possibly resulting in the protection against or delay of development of hypertension, vascular dysfunction in diabetes, and thereafter atherosclerosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amlodipine / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Atorvastatin
  • Biopterins / analogs & derivatives
  • Biopterins / metabolism
  • Biopterins / physiology
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Fructose / administration & dosage
  • Fructose / adverse effects
  • Heptanoic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Superoxides / metabolism
  • Vasoconstriction / drug effects
  • Vasodilation / drug effects

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Pyrroles
  • Superoxides
  • Amlodipine
  • Biopterins
  • Fructose
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Atorvastatin
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • sapropterin